John Schlarman named Herald-Leader's 2020 Sports Figure of the Year

After polling more than 150 media members from around the state, the Lexington Herald-Leader has named John Schlarman Kentucky Sports Figure of the Year.

The Ft. Thomas native transformed Kentucky’s offensive line into one of the best in the SEC as The Big Blue Wall, paving the way for Benny Snell’s historic career and Lynn Bowden’s record-breaking 2019 season. He did it all while battling a rare form of cancer that ultimately took his life in November. In death, Schlarman’s courage taught us how to live.

A leader of men, he set an example that left a significant impression around the state. Of the 153 ballots submitted, Schlarman received 76 first-place votes. He is the 40th person to win the award.

Voters selected UK women’s basketball star Rhyne Howard second, followed by NBA Finals winner Anthony Davis, World Series Champion and Lexington native Walker Buehler and retiring Trinity head football coach Bob Beatty.

A salute to Mark Story for completing the tedious task and serving as the official scribe for the award. You can read his entire write-up, see who made the top ten and check out a few of the KSR ballots below.

Nick’s Ballot

1. John Schlarman — In death the late Kentucky offensive line coach taught us how to live.
2. Jamal Murray — At the time of Murray’s duel with Donovan Mitchell in the NBA Playoffs, it was the closest thing we could get to UK vs. UofL in a barren wasteland of the Covid sports landscape. The NBA bubble not only gave us a much-needed distraction during a trying time, it paved a path for other leagues to bring sports back into our lives.
3. Donovan Mitchell
4. Anthony Davis — Davis’ first NBA Championship did not provide as drama as some of the other players from the area, but it was nevertheless an incredible achievement.
5. Jamon Brown — While some politicians shied away from the protests that erupted throughout Louisville, Brown responded by acting as a leader in the community.
6. Bob Beatty — The greatest high school football coach in the state’s history ended with a bang, going undefeated for his 15th state title in 21 seasons, a remarkable record.
7. Ja Morant — Rookie of the Year
8. Will Smith
9. Walker Buehler
10. Brad Cox — Not only was he the star of the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland, Shedaresthedevil played spoiler in the Kentucky Oaks, taking down the heavily favored Swiss Skydiver and Gamine in a record-breaking performance.

Tyler’s Ballot

1. John Schlarman
2. Asia Seidt — Swimmers aren’t in the spotlight often, but Seidt was named NCAA Woman of the Year and SEC Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2020, incredible accomplishments that deserve mention.
3. Bob Beatty
4. Anthony Davis
5. Walker Buehler
6. Ja Morant
7. Rhyne Howard
8. Bam Adebayo
9. Immanuel Quickley – Quickley became John Calipari’s latest example that the one-and-done route isn’t the only path to the pros from Lexington. The SEC Player of the Year transformed last year’s team with his shooting and is already winning Knicks fans over in New York.
10. Corey Peters – Named Arizona’s Walter Payton Man of the Year for his charitable contributions. The league’s award-winner will be announced at the Super Bowl.